Connor W.

What a day at the inaugural Alpaca VC Capital Cup! 🏌️‍♂️☀️ Yesterday, we brought together 20 of South Florida's most incredible VCs, founders, and allocators at The Park in West Palm Beach for an afternoon that was about more than just golf. It was about starting the New Year by getting outside, connecting in-person and continuing to build the South Florida tech ecosystem. And for our team’s David Goldberg, it was about getting out of the sand in a pretty spectacular way – at least ESPN thought so (see ~45 seconds into the clip below, and you’ll get it!).   Since making South Florida my home, I've become increasingly convinced that the future of our tech ecosystem is made stronger when we step away from our screens and spend time together in person. The golf course isn't just about the green or the game – it's about the conversations, collaborations and unexpected outcomes that happen along the way. Huge thanks to our partners Escalon Services, LLC (thank you Zack Mellin) and First Circle Law (thank you Drew Morris) for supporting this vision of ecosystem building. And an even bigger thanks to everyone who showed up, swung a club and helped be a part of what’s happening here in the region: Jonathan Beda of Connexa Capital, Eric Helitzer, LEED AP of SubBase, Patrick Miller and Rob Cousin of J.P. Morgan, Steven Himmel of HighPost Capital, Harry Hurst of Protagonist, Jacob Slevin of FuseProp, Chris Wallace of Dunbar Capital, Paget S. of Gemini, Henri Pierre-Jacques of Harlem Capital, Blake Hatten of CEAS Investments, Howie Diamond of Pure Ventures, Luba Lesiva of Palumni VC, Nicki Berlyn Katz of Related Ross, Rob Hayden of Renew. These are the moments that make our South Florida tech landscape one I’m glad to be a part of. Who's ready for the next gathering? 🤝 #SouthFloridaTech #VentureCapital https://lnkd.in/eZWkqChP

58

8 Comments

While many real estate investors chase overheated markets in Miami or Malibu …. I've spent the last 7 years deploying millions into one of America's best-kept secrets: North Carolina's rapidly rising 'Cape Fear' region. Since 2017, I've been asked: “Why Surf City and Wilmington”? Here’s why I'm betting on it becoming the East Coast's next big destination. → An Economic Powerhouse Outpacing the Nation Wilmington - ‘The Port City’ - saw its GDP grow by over $3 billion between 2017-2022. It ranked #7 out of 200 large cities for economic success in 2023. Its 8.8% job growth and 44% wage growth over the past 5 years were key drivers of progress (Milken Institute Report) → A Magnet for Affluent Retirees and Coastal Buyers A warm, sunny climate, affordable living costs, and pristine beaches. This makes the Cape Fear region a top draw for retirement-age folks and relocators from pricier cities. Plus, home prices remain relatively affordable - Wilmington's median price is around $413,000. Meanwhile, 81% of Wilmington moves were inbound in 2022, making it #1 in the nation (United Van Lines) Some 45% of people arriving in North Carolina overall made $150,000 or more annually, it added. This combination of demand and value is fueling a real estate boom. → The Next Big East Coast Vacation Destination North Carolina welcomed 43 million domestic visitors in 2023, ranking #5 nationally, behind only California, Florida, Texas and New York. The state enjoyed a record $35.6 billion in visitor spending that year, with NC’s thriving tourism industry now employing over 227,000 workers. Visitor spending generated $4.5 billion in tax revenues, creating more growth opportunities. → Building for Explosive Future Growth To support this population and tourism expansion, NC is investing heavily in infrastructure upgrades. • New $58 million Topsail Island bridge • A $420 million bypass to ease traffic congestion • $20 million for Surf City water treatment spending This infrastructure momentum positions it perfectly for long-term growth and increased quality of life. The Cape Fear region is perfectly positioned to dominate over the next 10 years. • Population and economic growth • Booming tourism and vacation home demand • Affordable coastal destination for vacation or living • Huge infrastructure investments to support expansion That's why I've gone all-in across multiple hospitality projects in the area, like the Saltwater Resort at Topsail Island in Surf City, and The Hive - Wilmington. Most investors are still sleeping on Cape Fear. But this underrated gem won't be a secret for long. It will be one of our nation's premier coastal hotspots for decades to come. ---------- I'm Richard Stroupe a 3x Entrepreneur, Investor, and Real Estate Operator Follow for stories on business, investing, and tech. Enjoy this? Consider reposting to share with your network ♻

42

26 Comments

Whiskey is emerging as a popular investment class among HNW investors according to a new report by KPMG: 27% said they plan to invest in whiskey within the next 3 years, making it the most popular form of "luxury" assets. Whiskey interest is followed by art (26%), jewelry (20%), wine (15%), and classic cars (14%). While increased capital moving into whiskey investments is likely to drive down returns in the long run, we believe the wholesale bourbon niche is still small enough to capture excess returns for investors who buy barrels in 2024. #bourboninvestments #alternativeassets #familyoffice #investmentideas https://lnkd.in/dgpdGCPd.

14

If you're building a fintech startup, you likely know of this investor, but just in case... This week's findfunding.vc spotlight is on Neil Kapur from TTV Capital. He: 🛫 Is based in SF & Atlanta 💲 Has spent time at Google in consumer-facing payments & at two fintech startups  🏔️ Loves alpine mountaineering and has climbed Kilimanjaro, Denali, Rainier, and more!! Amongst founders, Neil and the team at TTV Capital , including Gardiner Garrard, Mark Johnson, Sean Banks, Lizzie Guynn, and Laney Lewis are known for saying “lift, not lean.” They believe that their job as investors is not to create work for founders, but instead ask the right questions and help navigate to the best outcomes. Knowing Neil well personally, he's not only my go-to person for anything related to fintech but I can also highly recommend having him on your cap table - he's the kind of human you want to have in your corner during both good times and bad. Make sure to: ✉️ Pitch him at [email protected] ➡️ Follow TTV Capital on LinkedIn For more, check out our funder spotlight card below along with TTV Capital's profile on findfunding.vc (link in comments).

172

14 Comments

Great analysis of recent #vc trends. Thank you Kaela Roeder and Technical.ly for including my thoughts in the piece. My "expanded" two cents below for anyone curious... It is easy to get excited by what is happening in venture capital these days given the advent of AI. However, for early-stage startups, the numbers tell a more nuanced story. Early-stage deal volume in Q4-2023 was down 66% from the peak (Q4-2021) and a quarter of the deals were down rounds. In 2024, volumes stayed fairly flat relative to 2023 levels (signalizing a normalization to pre-pandemic VC activity) and 32% of deals were down rounds in Q1 (a worsening since year end). Early-stage valuations have spiked back up this year – a pleasant boon for some founders. But, this inflation is largely driven by the excitement around AI and strong demand for capital-efficient, high-growth companies. Many startups have tried to become “dot AI” businesses overnight; however, such tactics are not the “silver bullet” to fundraising challenges and growth. With limited time and capital, funds are on the hunt for companies with bulletproof fundamentals or those with exponential growth potential. If you don’t check one of these two boxes, the VC world looks fundamentally different for you. Locally, there are some positive tailwinds. The D.C. area has outpaced other metro areas in adding AI jobs due in large part to the defense industry and an increasing number of tech companies opening-up federal outposts. Over the long-term, this will be very positive for D.C. startup growth and talent.

29

2 Comments

The scenario... You're a young sports industry startup that has stalled growth and although you may be ready for institutional capital, you need to show more proof that you can execute and push through this plateau. This is where hiring a professional growth management firm like Champion Management Company comes into play. They will come in and help push through those hurdles and prop you up to get ready for institutional investors like Champion Venture Partners to come in heavy with a pile of new cash to fuel that next level of growth. Hit them up if this sounds like a solution that you need!

9

1 Comment

✨ Breaking: Halogen Ventures Announces New Fund.- Halogen Ventures Halogen Ventures focuses on early-stage consumer technology startups with at least one woman on the founding team. The fund announced a $10 million investment to support female founders in Alabama. https://halogenvc.com/ Please share to let other #Founders know For the ❤️ of Startups #Fusion42 #Startups #Venturecapital

8

Led by Anduril, defense tech funding sets a new record this year | TechCrunch https://buff.ly/4129kts Anduril, a leader in defense technology, has driven defense tech funding to an unprecedented high this year. Investments in this sector have surged, reflecting a growing interest in advanced military solutions and cutting-edge innovations. This milestone underscores the increasing importance of tech-driven defense initiatives in modern security strategies. As global tensions rise, there's a notable shift towards integrating AI, robotics, and autonomous systems into defense operations. The record-breaking funding highlights the critical role technology plays in national and international security landscapes. #DefenseTech #InnovationInSecurity

1

In PE, when you buy a company you're in business with the founders & the management team even though the PE firm owns the company. Success is a function of collaborative partnership & teamwork. PE firms that have this partnership philosophy are well positioned on the path to achieve top decile IRR. #pe #privateequity

70

1 Comment

Today's episode of the Private Equity Value Creation podcast with guest David Bluth of GLC Advisors is all about the current state of the tech M&A market. Tune in to learn: 💰 Why some businesses are still thriving in today’s tough market. 🧮 How rising interest rates are impacting deals. 📊 The key metrics founders need to focus on to attract buyers. 🔮 What to expect as the market evolves in 2024 and beyond. Listen to the Private Equity Value Creation podcast now on your favorite platform --> https://lnkd.in/ghTSna6d

2

Thanks, Axial, for your findings. I'd rank the Management Team high in the business description. As investors, we are buying their core competencies, track record, market position, and strategic fit. #privateequity #buyout #independentsponsor #growthequity #food #beverage #CPG #healthwellness

12

Own your team in your community. Instead of being an alumni be an investor.

2

Let’s highlight the challenge of raising LP Equity in today’s market: If a sponsor is under contract to purchase a core plus property that's underwriting to a sub-15% IRR over 5 years, it's difficult to find LP equity because investors can get a similar return in the debt / pref equity space while also having downside protection. Most LP equity groups I've talked to aren't considering investing in a common equity position unless it's going to result in a 16-18% IRR. That's for existing assets, development requires a 20%+ IRR.

7

3 Comments

The Information broke news that Insight Partners has just secured $10B in funding for their latest flagship fund. This is perfectly timed given their multiple $1B+ companies sold over the past week. This is a clear sight that #limitedpartners still have in their #privateallocations even during the current slow markets for #IPOs and #M&A. This would also appear to be good news for #AIfinancing and #SaaSFinancing. What do you think? #Management #VentureCapital #PrivateEquity #CapitalMarkets https://lnkd.in/gXu_s8Qj

2

1 Comment

Q3 is out and Q4 is in!  This is a great read about Base10's strategic switch showcasing how Carta is simplifying fund administration for emerging managers, which is especially important now rolling into the year-end busy season. 

9

How does a brand distinguish itself in an increasingly crowded market? This question was thoughtfully explored in a recent podcast featuring Eric Bandholz, founder of Beardbrand. He emphasizes that success isn't merely about revenue; it's about forging authentic connections with your customers. Bandholz champions storytelling as a vital tool for independent brands, allowing them to resonate deeply with their audience—something big retailers often overlook. Moreover, he shares insights from his journey, highlighting the balance between business growth and maintaining personal freedom. Both ambition and values shape a company's path—harnessing authentic experiences rather than succumbing to growth for growth's sake. Given the current economic climate, understanding these concepts becomes even more crucial for entrepreneurs and investors alike. As we navigate through opportunities and challenges, reflecting on the cultural aspects of business can provide a vital edge. What strategies have you implemented in your business to connect with your audience on a deeper level? #Entrepreneurship #BrandStrategy #CustomerEngagement #Storytelling #FinancialConsulting #Beardbrand https://lnkd.in/gVTF6-_X

2

Why Buying Your First Business is the hardest & Financing The Fear is Being seen as too risky by lenders and investors. The Solution: Prepare a solid business plan with detailed financial projections. Work with a financial advisor to enhance your credibility. Consider alternative financing options like SBA loans or seller financing.

11

3 Comments